Two U.S. senators propose calling in the feds over fake maple syrup

Two U.S. senators propose calling in the feds over fake maple syrup

(Image: Kai Hendry)

Champagne must come from its eponymous region in France, Parmigiano-Reggiano from specific areas in Emilia-Romagna (ok, and Lombardia) and Colombian Coffee from, well, Colombia. U.S. Law may soon dictate that maple syrup must have a specific origin as well—and no, Canada doesn’t take that honour. Maple trees do. According to the Toronto Star, two U.S. Senators are sponsoring a bill to make mislabeling a food product as maple syrup a federal offence punishable by a sentence of up to five years in prison.The MAPLE Act was proposed after the Food and Drug Administration uncovered a man in Rhode Island who was packaging and labeling cane sugar as maple. The act would stipulate that maple syrup come from (no surprise here) maple trees. Ontario already has tough punishments in place for anyone that messes with our maple: the maximum fine for misrepresenting a product as maple syrup in Ontario is $25,000 for a first office, $50,000 for subsequent offences or up to two years in jail. Considering Canada produces about 85% of the world’s maple syrup, we’re on board with the MAPLE Act—plus any self-respecting Canadian knows the real stuff beats Aunt Jemima any day.

• Selling fake maple syrup may soon be a felony in the U.S. [Toronto Star]